There's no denying blonde hair dye can be high maintenance, and finding the best hair dye for your locks can be a tough one. From grown-out roots to those dreaded brass tones, there's lots to contend with. However, our guide to the best blonde hair dyes will mean you're able to pull off those babein' tresses in no time.
If you ask us, box dyes are the way forward, and whatever your experience with that one dye that turned your hair orange - fear no more - because we've found all the best ones to save you from looking like a carrot top as you showcase your new 'do in style.
The best blonde hair dyes at a glance:
Best blonde hair dye overall: Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye , £8 on Amazon
Best blonde hair dye for minimal lasting damage: - Garnier Olia Permanent Hair Dye , £9.99 on Amazon
Best blonde hair dye on a budget: - Schwarzkopf LIVE Colour Intense Lightener , £5.50 on Amazon
Some products can definitely make your life easier when it comes to blonde hair maintenance - from hair toners to treatments and more - and, to be quite honest when your roots grow out in two weeks anyway, it almost doesn't seem worthwhile paying £££ for a salon trip.
From platinum silver hair dye to dirty blonde, there's a whole hoard of colours on the market, and chances are, there'll definitely be one for you, even if you're a brunette right now. So, without further ado, we present to you the best blonde hair dyes for every hair type, colour and age.
SHOP: 10 best blonde hair dyes to buy in 2024
Best blonde hair dye overall
AmazonWe've seen Holly Willoughby apply this Garnier Nutrisse while having chit-chat on Instagram, and honestly, we're sold. If this will give us hair like Holly, we're well and truly here for it. Easy to apply (according to trustworthy reviews) and the highest-rated blonde dye on Amazon, the Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye in the shade 100 Extra Light Blonde is in our baskets.
Pros
- Leaves hair looking shiny and nourished as it contains five nourishing oils within its formula
- Some reviewers said they favoured using this over a trip to the salon, saving them time and money
Cons
- Some reviewers said the product had a slightly warmer tone than pictured on the box
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | 25- 30 mins |
Best blonde hair dye for minimal lasting damage
AmazonIf you're thinking about bleaching your hair, some damage or dryness is inevitable, but with Garnier's Olia Permanent Hair Dyes, you can rest easy knowing that the 60 per cent oil powered formula is doing its very best to condition your locks while still striving for that 110 Super Light Blonde shine.
Pros
- Free from ammonia, reviews said they really liked that the product didn't have a strong smell
- Oil-based dye means the hair remains nourished
- Has a non-drip formula, meaning you can manipulate the product in your hair
Cons
- Some reviews claim it covers roots better than ends, so you may have to buy more than one box
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Depends on the intensity you are looking for - follow pack instructions |
Best blonde hair dye on a budget
Amazon
We all know that feeling when your roots are coming through, and you simply cannot afford a trip to the salon for a half-head. Schwarzkopf's LIVE Colour Intense Lightener in 00A Absolute Platinum will take your hair up to eight shades lighter, and according to reviews, it'll do it without the dreaded yellow tinge.
Pros
- Reviewers said that the dye leaves hair in excellent condition
- We love that there are up to eight levels of lift, meaning you get your money worth
- Reviews said it works well on brunette hair
Cons
- Some reviews claim it leaves hair feeling dry, so you may need to follow up with plenty of conditioner
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Follow pack instructions |
Best blonde hair dye for choice of shade
AmazonWith loads of shades of blonde in the Clairol Nice'n Easy Crème range, you'll truly be spoiled for choice and that's why we love the brand's shade range. Whether it's warm, cool or neutral, there's a blonde for everyone. The shade SB2 Ultra Light Cool Summer Blonde is a bright, cool-toned creamy blonde with an oil-infused formula. Gentle on your hair, gentle on your scalp - but heavy on the shine, according to reviews.
Pros
- Contains RevitaShine treatment, leaving hair soft according to reviews
- A blend of tones and highlights to choose from
- Oil infused so it's gentle on the hair and scalp - reviews said the product was particularly creamy for a hair dye
Cons
- Some reviews said the product may not cover all greys in one dye session
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Follow box instructions |
Best blonde hair dye for covering greys
AmazonL'Oréal's Preference Blonde Hair Dye is the hair dye you're going to want if grey hairs are your nemesis. Ageing may be a privilege, but for this price, we might invest in some anti-privilege measures. The shade 9.13 Baikal is a luminous light ashy blonde with golden undertones, suited for most. This range has loads of blondes to choose from, which we think is great, especially if you are after an exact match.
Pros
- Leaves hair looking shiny and nourished thanks to the formula
- Easy application with an even finish according to reviewers
- We especially like that the shade is made up of light-reflecting colour for a pure blonde finish
Cons
- Some reviews claim it fades quite quickly, so may need to apply twice monthly
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Follow box instructions |
Best blonde hair dye for a glossy finish
AmazonThere are so many tones of blonde, and there are even a few to choose from in the L'Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss range. We love the shade 1021 Light Pearl Blonde, but if you want something more natural, then 801 Satin Blonde might be the shade for you. Whatever shade you pick, this semi-permanent dye comes in the form of an intense conditioning mask for a glossy colour and satin soft feel which we think is fantastic for anyone looking to box dye their hair.
Pros
- Enriched with moisturising honey which reviewers claimed did not dry hair out
- No bathroom mess: Has a non-drip formula which we love
Cons
- Won't cover all greys or white hair according to reviews. Use two boxes where necessary
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Follow box instructions |
Best blonde hair dye for an even finish
AmazonWhen it comes to dying your hair at home, it can be pretty tricky to ensure even coverage across your whole head, especially the back. John Frieda's unique Precision Foam Colour Hair Dye formula spreads super easily, allowing everyone (even beginners) to achieve that flawless salon finish colour as well as keeping hair dye from fading. We cannot recommend the shade 10N Extra Light Blonde enough for its even and natural-looking colour.
Pros
- Reviews said that the colour is true to the packaging, meaning you won't be surprised upon application
- Leaves hair looking shiny and nourished which we love
Cons
- Some reviews claim colour begins to fade after one month, meaning you may need to top up more frequently
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | 30 mins |
Best blonde hair dye with natural ingredients
AmazonNot only does it come with a nourishing quinoa mask to use after you've dyed it, but the Naturtint Permanent Hair Dye in 9N Honey Blonde also contains certified organic oils, like olive oleic acid and meadowfoam seed oil, to nourish hair. Made with an overwhelming majority of natural ingredients, it's also vegan-friendly and free from ammonia, parabens and silicones. So, it's definitely a winner in our eyes and we love it as a hair dye product.
Pros
- Contains natural plant and seed extracts which eco-friendly reviewers loved
- We love that it is free from ammonia, parabens and silicones for a gentle dye job
Cons
- Few choices of colours in comparison to other brands
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | 30 mins |
Best blonde hair dye for universal shade
AmazonAs the name of this range suggests, the L'Oreal Paris Excellence Universal Nudes mean there's a shade suited for all. Delivering a natural-looking colour, 10U in Universal Lightest Blonde is a nourishing mask with a cream consistency that contains complexion-flattering reflects to cover greys while giving you shiny, healthy hair and we love that it won't damage your natural hair.
Pros
- We love the product's unique blend of harmonious reflects for a shiny finish
- Free from ammonia which reviewers loved: made dying hair easier
Cons
- Some reviews say the product may not fully cover greys
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Read box instructions |
Best blonde hair dye with an oil-powered formula
AmazonSchwarzkopf Oleo Intense Permanent Hair Due in Light Ashy Blonde 10-50 has a caring oil formula that gives rich, long-lasting colour with grey coverage. Designed for light to dark blondes, the fair trade argan oil in the conditioner leaves your hair feeling strong, soft and full of shine according to trustworthy reviews.
Pros
- We love the moisturising oil-powered formula
- Reviewers loved the product's long-lasting colour that covers greys
Cons
- Some reviews said the product had a slightly warmer tone than expected
| Type | Cream |
| Wait time | Read box instructions |
What blonde home hair dye is the best?
If you're wondering what brand is best for blonde hair colour, given its high ratings on Amazon, we'd recommend Garnier. More specifically, Garnier's Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye in the shade 'natural baby blonde' as repped by Holly Willoughby.
Which blonde hair colour is the best?
That all depends on what colour suits you. If you're wondering what shade of blonde to go for, take a look at your undertone. For example, if you have warm undertones you might want to go for honey, golden or strawberry blondes. If you're cool, platinum and ash tones would look really good on you.
Can you lighten your hair without bleach?
We spoke to hair expert, celebrity hairstylist and founder of mdlondon, Michael Douglas for advice.
"Yes, you can but not quite as light as a lot of people would like. Bleach can lighten up to about six shades of lift. You can lighten hair using hair dye, but it often only lifts three shades of lift. As you lighten hair, it naturally exposes orange pigment, and so the lighter you go the less orange you see. Lightening your hair with bleach can often mean less brassy and orange tones in your hair, but it can also mean more damage and more porosity."
What is the lightest box dye without bleach?
Michael continues, "Garnier does a fabulous range of home hair colours for blondes. If I’m totally honest, it doesn’t really matter whether you use bleach or dye. The lighter you make your hair, the more fragile it becomes, and whether you do that with bleach or tint doesn’t make a huge amount of difference. However, bleach will guarantee you a more blonde/lighter result than dye."
How to dye your hair blonde at home?
If you have a lot of build-up on your hair, manage expectations. Remember, colour alone doesn't lift the hair, only bleach can do this. It might take a while to get your desired colour, especially if you've been using the best black dye for years.
Before you dye it, you might even want to use the best shampoo for stripping hair colour. Still, looking to cut costs on your next salon appointment and switch up your look? Here's a guide on how to dye your hair at home.
How to dye your hair from home:
Step one) TEST YOUR COLOUR. If you want to avoid any colour mishaps, test your dye of choice on a small patch of hidden hair before you start.
Step two) Section off your first layer of hair with a clip. We recommend between four and six layers total, depending on your hair's thickness.
Step three) Smear a barrier cream like Vaseline around your hairline to prevent staining. Don't forget to do it on and around your ears, as well as the back of your neck. If you get dye on you, follow this quick, easy guide on how to remove hair dye off your skin.
Step four) For best results, pop your gloves on and use your brush and bowl. Follow the instructions on the box and apply the dye to dry hair, starting at the root and combing down through to the ends.
Step five) Finish the process with any conditioning treatments as instructed, and enjoy your flashy new 'do. Style to your liking and repeat the process when your roots come through.
Lucy Smith is a contributing writer for Closer. Her favourite things to write about are skincare, interiors and fashion, with Love Island coming in fourth when it rolls around each summer, too.